2 CENTS
I am not a rules expert but I expect that Coach Saban knows them very well. I don’t blame the Referees for Alabama losing the game …. but I do agree with Coach Saban on this play. The term “unfair” Coach Saban was not unintentional and was most likely a reference to the following. NCAA Rule 9 – Conduct of Players and Others Subject to the Rules
Approved ruling 9-2-1
SECTION 2. Unsportsmanlike Conduct Fouls
ARTICLE 2. Unfair Tactics
No player shall conceal the ball in or beneath his clothing or equipment or substitute any other article for the ball.
No simulated replacements or substitutions may be used to confuse opponents. No tactic associated with substitutes or the substitution process may be used to confuse opponents (Rule 3-5-2-e). (A.R. 9-2-2:I-V)
No equipment may be used to confuse opponents (Rule 1-4-2-d). PENALTY –
[a-c] — Live-ball foul. 15 yards from the previous spot [S27]. Automatic first down for fouls by Team B if not in conflict with other rules. Flagrant offenders shall be disqualified [S47]. PENALTY – [c-d] Dead-ball foul. Five yards from the succeeding spot [S22].
When Team A sends in its substitutes, the officials will not allow the ball to be snapped until Team B has been given an opportunity to substitute. While in the process of substitution or simulated substitution, Team A is prohibited from rushing quickly to the line of scrimmage with the obvious attempt of creating a defensive disadvantage. If the ball is ready for play, the game officials will not permit the ball to be snapped until Team B has placed substitutes in position and replaced players have left the field of play. Team B must react promptly with its substitutes.
PENALTY – (First offence) Dead-ball foul. Delay of game on Team B for not completing its substitutions promptly, or delay of game on Team A for causing the play clock to expire. Five yards from the succeeding spot [S21]. The referee will then notify the head coach that any further use of this tactic will result in an unsportsmanlike conduct foul.
PENALTY – (Second or more offence) Dead-ball foul, team unsportsmanlike conduct. An official will sound his whistle immediately. 15 yards from the succeeding spot. [S27]. Approved ruling 3-5 This scenario can be applied to the play.
9. Late in the first half Team A is out of timeouts. A pass play on third down ends inbounds at the B-25 short of the line to gain with the game clock showing 0:30. Facing fourth down and three, Team A gives no indication as to its next play until the game clock reads 0:10. They then rush their field goal unit onto the field, and Team B then hurries to respond. RULING: The umpire moves to the ball to prevent the snap until Team B has had a reasonable opportunity to get its field-goal defense unit onto the field. The umpire will step away when he judges that the defense has had enough time. If the game clock reads 0:00 before the ball is snapped after the umpire steps away, the half is over.

Ole Miss forced 5 turnovers? You need to actually watch the game one time. Ole Miss was not even near Stewart on the first fumble. The next 2 Kick Offs were fumbled because of the jitters. Hell one was before he even stepped out of the End Zone (thankfully picked back up). The INT's you could argue were due to pressure, or I could argue that they were just terrible decisions. Either way Ole Miss did what they needed to win and Bama didn't. I have no problem admitting that Bama lost but you and I both know that they should have won that game.

You are absolutely correct that the game was more lopsided than the score showed. It encouraging to know that a MSU fan can be objective. You obviously watched the game and studied the game stats closely. If I could have one wish it would be that Nick would be more like Dan Mullen after he loses games and just cry quietly into his pillow at night.